Words From The Heart
I recently spent time with my oldest friend in the world. We see each other a few times a year and this time they used language I had never heard them use before. Regrettably, I was so surprised that I did not speak up as a Christian brother should. The next day I was drawn to the Scriptures and what they have to say about the words we use.
“‘A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.’” (Matthew 12:33-37)
The words we use and their origin was a topic Jesus spoke about a great deal and He spoke very plainly about the subject. As he told the Pharisees, whatever is in your heart determines what you say. If you describe someone with words that carry hurtful meanings, that comes from your heart; as my friend said after using the cursing phrase, “There’s no other word for it.” And for them there wasn’t because what flowed from the mouth came from the heart and the curse word was the only word in their heart for that person. What we say is less of a mouth issue and more of a heart issue.
“‘You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.”’ Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.’” (Matthew 15:7-11)
The origin of our words is found in our heart. Our mouths give us away by revealing our true feelings. Our words also defile and condemn us, for we will give an account for every idle word we speak. This word that Jesus used, “idle,” means careless. We need to be intentional with our words because our words reflect our heart. We have a responsibility to be careful with what we say.
“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:7-10)
If you were carrying a vile of poison, you would be careful with that vile. You wouldn’t be running or jumping around or flailing your arms as you carried it; you would be intentionally careful with your movements so that you would not drop or spill the poison. James said our hearts are “full of deadly poison” and it is because of this that we should be careful with the words we speak. Be intentional with what you say because like a spark in the forest, a careless word can do a lot of damage.
“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (James 3:5-6)
“‘But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.’” (Matthew 15:18-19)
People will say very often that someone has a good heart. Certainly they mean this in reference to the person’s deeds or intentions, but to say someone has a good heart is not Biblical. Jesus did not teach that the heart is good, but that it is evil. We must recognize that if there is good in us, it is God. As Jesus told the rich man, “Only God is truly good” (Mark 10:18). Jesus in us is our only goodness. As C.S. Lewis put it, “There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” Be careful with the words you use. Remember that you will give an account for every careless word you have spoken. Your words reflect what is in your heart. Choose them carefully.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
